EYE-D
An app
for the
visually
challenged
for
This is an app that I worked on with a company that builds products and services for the visually challenged. I was the only UI/UX designer and researcher onboard and I worked on conducting user research, testing, analysis of data, and improving the experience of the application along with fellow engineers and product managers.
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Visually impaired persons have a hard time maneuvering through day to day tasks like commuting, identifying colors, objects, etc. How can we leverage technology to improve and better their life?
EMPATHY MAPPING
feel
hear
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Do you need any help?
Can you do this alone?
I can come with you if you need help
I can drop you there
Can you commute on your own?
I'll help pay
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Helpless
Frustrated
Annoyed
Tired
Angry
Upset
think
do
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I want to be more independent
I don't need help all the time
Why don't they just leave me alone?
Why can't I be like others?
I wish things were more accessible
Why do they treat me differently?
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Ask for help only when they just can't do it
Try and do things out of muscle memory
Use talkback feature to use devices
Use different apps for various features
Try new tech to help do day to day activities
Remember the currency notes that they have
PERSONA
PRADEEP ARORA
Pradeep is a software engineer whose eyes were injured during an accident 5 years back. He stays with his wife. He commutes to work by cab. He uses assistive technology like talkback to interact with his device.
BIO
FRUSTRATIONS
He has trouble walking on pavements as they are uneven.
He needs to keep asking people around him to identify the cab.
Crossing roads is hard and requires help from another person to know which colour the signal is.
Can't read newspapers and articles so has to opt for podcasts or paid screen readers.
Identifying currency notes can be hard at times.
Age - 28
Location - Bangalore
BASIC REQUIREMENTS
During the research phase, I identified 4 main concerns of our users.
Going about daily tasks easily
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To read text on screens, books, pdfs etc
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Identifying things around them
Commuting without any hassle
KEY FINDINGS FROM RESEARCH
Users want to be independent
Younger users adapt quicker to apps/technology
Young or old, interactions with devices must be easy and intuitive
Users don't want to feel like they are missing out on anything.
PROPOSAL
An app with various basic features that helps the visually challenged with their day to day tasks.
Why an app?
Because smartphones are becoming ubiquitous. Everyone has a smartphone on them all the time. The team does not need to provide a completely different product to the user which would make them feel like they need to carry the device everywhere they go.
HOW MIGHT WE (HMW)?
HMW make the app accessible and inclusive?
HMW place buttons strategically so that it doesn't hinder interactions?
HMW allow seamless interactions between the user and the device?
HMW allow error feedbacks to appear?
HMW confirm if they are on the desired page?
WIREFRAMES
Landing page iterations
70,000+
160+
Active users globally
Countries
The app is being improved on a daily basis with the help of continuous user feedback.
This project is extremely close to me as it allowed me to look at design through its true problem-solving lens. The user research and testing made me realize the importance of empathizing with users while designing any product and has allowed me to look at all products and services through the perspective of accessibility and inclusivity.